Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill realized twice this week how painfully little support he has from his own party.

Curtis Hill

The Republican (and former Elkhart County prosecutor) has seen his first term as Attorney General become marred in a groping scandal that began in the summer of 2018.

Hill is accused of inappropriately touching four women at a work-related party. He continues to claim his innocence.

He was never criminally charged over the incidents, but his actions are being reviewed by the Supreme Court to determine whether his law license should be suspended. A recommendation to the court suggests his license be suspended for up to 60 days.

Earlier this week, in an incredibly telling move, Republican State Rep. Tim Wesco, whose district includes the city of Elkhart, had an amendment added to an elections bill that would force Hill from office if his law license is suspended for 30 or more days. The amendment passed 84-9.

Among the nine opposing the amendment were State Reps. Dave Wolkins (District 18), Curt Nisly (District 22) and Christy Stutzman (District 49).

On Friday, Gov. Eric Holcomb, who had previously called on Hill to resign, made public his support for the elections bill, according to Indystar.com.

What makes all of this more complicated is that Hill is up for re-election this year. He is expected to face a challenge in the GOP convention this summer and will certainly face a Democrat opponent in the fall.

That’s what we know publicly. Behind the scenes, I imagine Hill has been left in a politically lonely position. At the same time, he’s shown no signs of resigning and strongly defends himself in a new Indystar news video.

Exactly how all this will play out is as unclear as it is fluid in part because such circumstances are unprecedented.

Probably the best scenario, for the state Republican Party, would be for Hill to just resign. I’m guessing Dems would like to see his name on the ballot this fall.

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Dan Spalding is the editor at InkFreeNews.com.
He covers city government and politics and always welcomes your input.
He can be reached at [email protected] or at (574) 855-7612.